THE Prime Minister has heard first hand how cuts have forced Herefordshire Council into fighting for fairer funding.

But a meeting between Prime Minister David Cameron, council leader councillor Tony Johnson, secretary of state for local government Eric Pickles and his under-secretary Brandon Lewis offered little beyond suggestions for possible extra funding.

Coun Johnson did come away with compliments for the council's "proactive attitude" to coping with cuts and an undertaking - without commitment - for the council's block grant to get a fresh look.

Pitching the fairer funding fight is now a priority for the council in facing a future as a far smaller organisation with a focus on commissioning.

Full council recently backed a motion calling for a better deal on funding for the county's schools.
Coun Johnson has presented the council as a case study to the County Council Network as it pressed for more central government support for rural authorities at its conference earlier this month.

"It is important that we work with other Councils and present a well-structured argument which illustrates the additional costs of services in a rural community," said Coun Johnson.